Travel

Mid-Summer Temperatures Hit Kyushu

FUKUOKA, Oct 16 (News On Japan) - Temperatures soared past 30°C across parts of Kyushu and Okinawa on October 16th, with 90 locations recording midsummer-like conditions despite it being mid-October, while much of eastern Japan experienced a sharp autumn chill.

In Amami’s Kasari district in Kagoshima Prefecture, people were even seen swimming in the sea as the mercury climbed to 31.7°C. “It feels like summer,” said one passerby in Tokyo, contrasting with others who described the day as “a bit cold,” as the capital’s morning low dropped to a season-low 15.2°C. Meteorologists predict that this weekend’s rain will accelerate the seasonal shift toward cooler weather.

In Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture, where the temperature fell to 9.5°C, shipments of matsutake mushrooms are underway as autumn flavors reach their peak. October 16th also happens to be “Mushroom Day,” established to encourage people to enjoy the seasonal delicacy. Supermarkets in Tokyo are stocked with a wide variety of mushrooms, which have become a welcome relief amid rising food prices thanks to their stable costs.

At Tokyo German Village in Chiba Prefecture, visitors are enjoying a hands-on way to experience the season with “shiitake picking,” where large, fresh mushrooms not typically found in stores can be harvested and grilled over charcoal on the spot. The most popular topping, locals say, is “mayo-shichimi” — a rich blend of mayonnaise and spicy Japanese chili powder that pairs perfectly with the freshly grilled mushrooms.

Although mushrooms are available year-round thanks to artificial cultivation, autumn remains the best time to enjoy them at their freshest and most flavorful.

Source: TBS

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

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